Otto stechhan



(No Moden.)

0. STBCHHAN.

TRUNK. Y No. 508,057. Patented Nov. 7., 1893.-

B1 M5L ATTOHNEY/ UNITED lSTATES PATENT OFFICE@ OTTO STECHHAN, OF INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA.

TRUNK.

SPECIFICATION forming part' of Letters Patent No. 508,057, dated November 7, 1883.` i l Application filed April 18, 1893. Serial No. 470.818. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, O'r'ro STECHHAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Indianapolis, in the county of Marion and State ot Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Trunks, of which the following is` a specication.

The object of my said invention is to produce a trunk which may be easily and conveniently handled, which shall be variable in size, and which may be opened either from the top or bottom. A trunk embodying said invention will first be fully described, and said invention then pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, which are made a part hereof, and on which similar letters of reference indicate similar parts, Figure l is a side elevation ot a trunk embodying my said invention, laid down upon lts side; Fig. 2 a transverse sectional view thereof, on the dotted line 2 2 in Fig. l; Fig. 3 a longitudinal sectional view with one end extended somewhat, on the dotted line 3 3 in Fig. l; Fig. 4 an enlarged sectional view of one corner ofthe trunk, similar to a fragment of Fig. 3 5 Fig. 5 a detail elevation thereof; 6 a detail view at the point of lock- 1ng,vs1milar toa portion of Fig. 2, but onan enlarged scale; Fig. 7 a fragmentary View, on an enlarged scale, similar to a portion of Fig. 3, and Fig. 8 a plan view, on an enlarged scale, showing one of the locks and immediately adjacent parts.

In said drawings the portions marked A represent the central or main body portion of the trunk; B B2 the bottom and top of sald trunk, respectively; C the locks, and D a cord or lacing by which the top and bottom y may be drawn to the desired position.

The main bodyA is a plain open-ended cylinder, made of any suitable material, and united, at the points where the material of which it is composed approach each other, by thin metallic strips A and A2, the latter of which, however, I do not regard as essential, but only desirable. These strips should extend about the whole length of the cylinder, and the strip A which is the only strip which is essential, contains numerous small slits or perforations to receive the bolt of the lock, so that the top and bottom may be locked at any point desired. The space between the edges of the material of which the cylinder A is composed, as shown in the drawings (most plainly in Fig. 6), receives the endv of tlxe lock bolt, which is preferably formed T- headed, so as to lock by being given a quarter turn. The lock in itself, however, is not of my invention, and being simple and readily understood, will not be further described herein, except incidentally in describing the invention. f

The top and bottom B and'B2 slide over the ends of the cylinder A, Yand may slide near together, as shown in Fig. l, when no more space is required than is contained within the cylinder A, or may extend-out on one or both ends, as illustrated in 'Fig-3, when a greater space or capacity is desired. 'Ihese parts arecomposed of a circnlarhead and cylindrical portions attached thereto, which are similar to but a little larger in diameter and shorter than the cylinder A, and are adapted to pass on over the ends of said cylinder A, as shown most plainly in Fig. 3. The circular ends and the cylindrical portions are united by corner pieces B, which are in the form of hoops with one edge curved downwardly or inwardly, so that the resulting corner is round, as shown in ythe drawings, most plainly in Figs. 4. and 5. This form of corner not only avoids all sharp or project-ing corners on the structure, but is of a form which gives great strength to the structure, as will be readily understood. Upon the other or inner ends of the cylindrical portions B and B2 are fiat hoops B3, which extend around the same, and which strengthen said cylindrical portions at these ends. Upon said hoops are secured eyes or rings b through which the cord or lacing D is passed. The locks C are hinged to the bands Bson the parts B and B2, and the lock'- bolts are adapted to enter .the slits in the metal platos A. Said slits being numerous, the adjustment may be whatever is desired. Said lock is manipulated by means of a key in an ordinary and well known manner. The cord or lacing D passes through the eyes b on the inner ends of the parts B and B2, being laced back and forth from one to another, as shown in Fig. l. By this means said two parts B and B2 may be drawn and held toward each other without strain upon the locks,

IOO

which is a considerable advantage, especially when the trunk is filled very full, and enlarged beyond the capacity of the cylinder A. This trunk may contain any sort of trays or receptacles which may be desired, and it is manifest that they may be set in one on top of another from top to bottom, and may be as large or small proportionately to the trunk as the :nature of the service required demands. For commercial travelers, for instance, the trunk would usually be filled with comparatively shallow trays.

My iinproved trunk is handled in the following nianner: One end is intended to be the bottom, and, consequently, when being packed or unpacked, it sits upon one end, while the other end is removed, leaving it open, and standing much like a barrel. The trunk is then packed or unpacked, and trays removed or replaced as may be desired.

'One considerable advantage attending the use of my improved trunk is that access may be had from the bottom as readily as from the top; and so, when it is desired to remove any article packed in the bottom, it is only necessary to turn that end up, and access can be had thereto as readily as from the other end.

Having thus fully described my said invention, WhatI claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is l 1. The combination, in atrunk, of a central cylinder having a longitudinal perforated strip A', and end cylinders adapted to slip over the same, and carrying locks, the bolts whereof are adaptedto enter and be secured in the slits or perforations in said plate, thus providing a lock fastening at any desired point, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination, in a trunk, of a central open-ended cylinder having a longitudinal metal plate A which plateis providedwith numerous slits, and two cylinders passed over the ends of said central cylinder, and a lock hinged to each, the bolt whereof is adapted to enter the slits in said plate A', a means being thus provided for locking or fastening said end cylinders at any point of said central cylinder, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination, in a trunk, of a central open-ended cylinder, other cylinders, having A one end closed, passed over the ends of said central cylinder, the ends and sides whereof are united by curved corner pieces B, substantially as shown and described.

4. The combination, in a trunk, of a central open-ended cylinder, and two other cylinders placed over the ends of said central cylinder' and provided with rings or eyes, and a cord or lacing passed through said rings or eyes, whereby said end cylinders are drawn and secured toward each other, substantially as set forth.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal, at Indianapolis, lndiana, this 13th day of April, A. D. 1893.

OTTO STECHHAN. [L Sfl Witnesses:

CHESTER BRADFORD, JAMES A. WALSH. 

